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Featherweight
1. Alexander Volkanovski (22-1) [1]
Volkanovski improved to 2-0 against Max Holloway at UFC 251, but victory in the rematch came by a much slimmer margin than it did in their first meeting. After Holloway rocked the Australian featherweight champion at the end of Rounds 1 and 2 to take an early lead on the scorecards, Volkanovski finished strong over the bout’s final 15 minutes to earn a contentious split-decision triumph in Abu Dhabi. That makes nine consecutive UFC victories and 19 straight professional triumphs overall for the City Kickboxing representative, who can now move past his rivalry with Holloway and focus on other contenders at 145 pounds. A showdown with Brian Ortega appears to be imminent.2. Max Holloway (21-6) [2]
Holloway had an improved strategy and performance in his rematch with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 251, but unfortunately for the talented Hawaiian, it still didn’t result in victory. After nearly dropping the Australian champion in both the first and second rounds, Holloway saw Volkanovski rally down the stretch for a contentious split-decision triumph in Abu Dhabi. While many observers thought “Blessed” deserved the nod, the ex-titlist is now 0-2 against Volkanovski and has lost three of his last four Octagon appearances overall. He will attempt to work his way back to title contention with a showdown against Calvin Kattar on Jan. 16.3. Brian Ortega (15-1, 1 NC) [3]
Nearly two years away from the cage served Ortega well, as he showcased a refined skill set in a unanimous decision triumph over Chan Sung Jung in the UFC Fight Night 180 headliner on Oct. 17 in Abu Dhabi. Not only did “T-City” bounce back from a beatdown at the hands of Max Holloway in a featherweight title bout in December 2018, but he likely earned himself a shot a current champion Alexander Volkanovski at a later date.4. Yair Rodriguez (12-2, 1 NC) [5]
Rodriguez had high expectations fighting on home soil, but his UFC Mexico City headlining matchup with Jeremy Stephens ended in just 15 seconds when “El Pantera” connected with an accidental eye poke. It was hardly the ending Rodriguez anticipated coming off a “Knockout of the Year” finish against Chan Sung Jung in November 2018, but he was able to settle the score with Stephens in their rematch at UFC on ESPN 6 in Boston, as he rode a multi-faceted kicking attack to a unanimous decision victory in October 2019. A matchup with Zabit Magomedsharipov was targeted for Aug. 29 before Rodriguez had to pull out due to injury. The Mexican standout will now be out until at least March 2021 following a six-month USADA suspension for a whereabouts violation.5. Chan Sung Jung (16-6) [6]
Jung never got out of first gear at UFC Fight Night 180, losing to Brian Ortega by a trio of 50-45 tallies in a featherweight No. 1 contender’s bout in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 17. The setback halts a two-bout winning streak for “The Korean Zombie” and spoils his chances at getting another shot at 145-pound gold in the near future.6. Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-1) [7]
Magomedsharipov earned his sixth straight Octagon triumph at UFC Fight Night 163, as he outpointed fellow contender Calvin Kattar in Moscow. The Dagestani fighter slowed down the stretch against Kattar in the impromptu three-round headliner, but he had already banked the first two rounds on the scorecards. The Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu product owns a 14-fight professional winning streak dating back to 2013 and has emerged as one of the top contenders in the UFC at 145 pounds. A proposed clash with Yair Rodriguez on Aug. 29 was scrapped after the Mexican standout withdrew from the fight due to injury.7. Patricio Freire (31-4) [8]
Bellator’s reigning 145-pound champ advanced to the semifinals of the promotion’s featherweight grand prix by walloping Pedro Carvalho via first-round knockout in their headlining matchup at Bellator 252 on Nov. 12. That makes six consecutive wins for the 33-year-old Brazilian, who is slated to face Emmanuel Sanchez in the semifinals of the tournament at a future event. Freire defeated Sanchez via unanimous decision in their first meeting at Bellator 209 in November 2018.8. Calvin Kattar (22-4) [10]
Kattar become the first fighter to go 2-0 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as snapped Dan Ige’s six-bout winning streak in the UFC on ESPN 13 headliner on July 15. Couple that with a spectacular elbow KO of Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249, and “The Boston Finisher” is making the most of his 2020 thus far. Kattar will attempt to keep rolling when he squares off against former featherweight king Max Holloway in the headliner of a UFC event on Jan. 16.9. Frankie Edgar (24-8-1) [11]
After years of contending at both lightweight and featherweight in the UFC, Edgar has swiftly established himself as a person of interest at bantamweight, as well. In typical gritty fashion, Edgar edged Pedro Munhoz via split-decision in his 135-pound debut at UFC on ESPN 15 on Aug. 22. While the scorecards might have been debatable, Edgar’s ability to remain competitive throughout the contest was not, and he will likely be looking at another Top 10 foe for his next Octagon appearance.10. A.J. McKee (17-0) [12]
During his Bellator MMA tenure, McKee has graduated from top-tier prospect to championship contender in a span of approximately four years. “Mercenary” punched his ticket to the finals of the Bellator featherweight grand prix with a surprisingly quick submission win over Darrion Caldwell in November, and he will now await the winner of the bracket’s other semifinal, which pits Patricio Freire against Emmanuel Sanchez.Other Contenders: Jeremy Stephens, Josh Emmett, Shane Burgos, Dan Ige, Arnold Allen.
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